Daniel’s vibrant passion is obvious in each of the many diverse instruments he artfully plays.  With an accomplished jazz flare on the keyboards, a searing command of the tribal rhythms emerging from his djembe, complimented by the spiritual roots of the Native American flute and the foot tappin’ sounds of a singing banjo, Daniel’s music creates an uplifting journey.

Daniel’s musical explorations started with piano lessons at the age of 4 in Mrs. Schotta’s studio, and at 12 switched over to classical guitar.  His brother (10 years older) turned him onto Wes Montgomery, Jimmy Smith and Oscar Peterson early on, and he eventually financed many a record store owners' dental work with his Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, Keith Jarrett and Bela Fleck purchases.

Throughout his teens and early 20s, through his guitar and the songs of musical forces such as James Taylor, John Denver, Neil Young and others, he learned about sharing music and inspiring messages with the community.

Meanwhile, Daniel developed a passion for social justice, as several stints as a camp counselor for children from "across the tracks" opened an awareness to a wider world that charged his career path for many years and continues to inform and fertilize his dreams and endeavors.

Daniel received a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Texas, followed by a Master of Science in Applied Social Research expanding his drive for activism and responsible social change. For four years, Daniel was an on-staff consultant in computing and research methodology for the University of North Texas after which he completed coursework for a PhD in Sociology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  For the next fifteen years, Daniel owned and operated New Context Video Productions, which specialized in producing promotional videos for progressive nonprofits.

After moving to Asheville in 1997 and reconnecting to his musical roots, Daniel began drumming for several weekly African dance classes and helped facilitate the infamous Asheville drumming circle on Friday nights that draws hundreds of enthralled spectators. Since 2001, Daniel has coordinated the Jubilee! World Beat Band, playing a versatile repertoire of jazz, blues, rock, Latin, reggae and old spirituals in support of the celebratory spiritual experience of the Jubilee! community every Sunday morning.  The Playback Theatre of Asheville also provides a stimulating forum for Daniel’s improvisational skills and humor.  In 2003, Daniel formed the upbeat ensemble Current Invention which brings together some of Asheville’s finest musicians and vocalists to play for weddings, celebrations, conferences and fundraisers in the Western North Carolina area.

By integrating musical influences from classical, ragtime, jazz, 60s and 70s rock and R&B and African, Afro-Cuban and Brazilian rhythms, along with an eclectic mix of his own melodic life experiences, Daniel emerges into an expansive art form rich in celebrating the universal language of music and movement for everyone to indulge in joyfully.

Other bands

I am currently playing with the Asheville based bands Zabumba and Djembe So.

Zabumba performs samba and other traditional Brazilian styles with ease and flair.  This band is great for events such as parades, outdoor festivals and parties, and anywhere where high energy, happy rhythms are the order of the day.

I usually play an instrument called a caixa, which is a type of snare drum, lighter and "taller" than most American snare drums, and with the snares on the top.

Djembe So plays the traditional music of West Africa.  We include not only the high energy rhythms that have become familiar to increasingly wider audiences in the U.S. but also melodic features that are less familiar here. 

It is generally upbeat and great for energetic dancing at festivals and parties, but much of the music can also be played in more sedate settings oriented to listening.

I provide melodies on keyboard in addition to rhythmic accompaniment on Djembe.